Summercon is America’s longest-running information security conference, and has shaped the format of virtually every hacker conference that has happened since it first took place back in 1987. If you’ve been to DEF CON, H.O.P.E., or any of a million other security events that include “-con” in its name, you’ve participated in the legacy of Summercon.

That early hacker community arose from ad hoc teleconferences on telco loop-lines and text file exchanges on dialup BBSes. Almost entirely mediated by electronic media, they primarily discussed the practical aspects of hacking, but braggadocio often played as important a role in their communications. Between bantering about the latest techniques and ever-evolving exploits, they would also boast about their latest work, each trying to outdo the other.

These early hackers, hanging out online but rarely, if ever, meeting in person, lamented the lack of physical interaction and decided to throw a party. In 1987, members of the seminal hacking ezine Phrack agreed to meet in St. Louis to talk shop, brag a little, and drink beer. That first Summercon was invite-only, and twenty people showed up. But it cemented the essential format of subsequent Summercons: top-notch technical presentations from the best and brightest members of the security scene in a comfortable, highly social setting to keep the conversation going.

It has always been our contention that cons are for socializing. The truly exciting info is never really discussed except in private circles, so the only way anyone is going to learn anything worthwhile is to meet new people and take the initiative to start interesting conversations. So while there will be plenty of informative lectures and technical trainings, we’ve designed Summercon to encourage people to meet as many people as they can. We seek to bring together all members of the community, be they hackers, phreakers, phrackers, feds, 2600 kids, cops, security professionals, press, groupies, convicted felons, or concerned parents, to continue the dialogue.

Summercon has evolved over the years and has moved out of St. Louis to be held in eight other cities around the globe. Still, two things have not changed: Summercon brings the most groundbreaking technical presentations and has the most beer appreciation per attendee. We hope that you’ll help participate in making Summercon 2013 the best one yet.

Organizer

Summercon

SummerCon started as a small, invite-only get-together thrown every summer by Phrack. It is the oldest of the annual computer security conferences, and helped set a precedent for more modern cons such as H.O.P.E. and DEF CON. Though it is no longer invite-only, we strive to keep Summercon smaller and more personal. It travels around a bit--we have been hosted by cities such as New York; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; Austin; and Amsterdam.